The Early Vedic Age, also known as the Vedic period, is a key era in ancient Indian history that spans from roughly 1500 BCE to 500 BCE. It is characterized by the composition of the sacred texts known as the Vedas, which are among the oldest scriptures in the world. Vedic society was primarily pastoral and rural, with its economy based on cattle herding and agriculture.
This period is divided into two main phases: the Rigvedic period and the later Vedic period. The Rigvedic period, marked by the Rigveda, the oldest of the four Vedas, focused on polytheistic worship and ritual. The later Vedic period saw the emergence of more complex social structures, class divisions, and the growth of cities.
The Vedic age laid the foundation for many aspects of Indian culture, religion, and philosophy, with the concepts of dharma (duty) and karma (action and its consequences) originating from this era. It also marked the early stages of the caste system, which later became a prominent social institution in India.
The Early vedic age characteristics
Historical Facts | Early Vedic Age |
Other name | Rigvedic Period |
The time | 1500–1000 BC approx. |
Source | Rigveda |
Next period | Later Vedic age |
Introduction
The culture of the Indus civilization was followed by the semi-nomadic and pastoral Aryans who created the Vedic civilization.
The Indo-Aryans lived primarily in the region or country known as ‘Sapta Sindhu’, also called the ‘land of seven rivers’. The period of Vedic civilization was between 1500 BC and 600 BC. The Vedic civilization was the new dominant civilization after the Indus Valley civilization. The Vedic Age, or Vedic Period (c. 1500 BCE to 500 BCE), is the duration of the Bronze Age and Young Iron Age continuums in India.
The Vedic period includes the Vedic literature, the Vedas (c. 1300 BC–900 BC), written in the northern part of the Indian mainland. The Vedas are religious texts created for the modern religion of Hinduism, which also built the Kuru kingdom. The Vedas consist of information and details about life during this period, interpreted as history, and contain primary sources for a better understanding of the period.
Source
The main source of information about the Aryans in India is the Vedas. The word Veda comes from the Sanskrit word vid (to know), which means knowledge in general. The Vedas are in four numbers: Rigveda, Samaveda, Yajurveda, and Atharvaveda. The Rigveda is a collection of 1028 hymns and is the oldest among the Vedas.
The Rigveda helps us reconstruct the history of the early Aryans. According to the Rigveda, the first Aryans settled in the Sapta Sindhu region (which roughly corresponds to today’s Punjab). The Aryans did not advance beyond the Yamuna River during this period.
Political Organization
The Rigvedic Aryans were rural in character and lived in small villages. The basis of political and social organization was the family or kula.
The kula was headed by the Kulapati or grihapati (the oldest male member as the head of the household). Several families (kula) formed a grama (village) headed by a gramani. Several gramas formed a visya (clan) headed by a Vidyapati. Several visayas together formed a Jana (people) ruled by a king called Rajan.
The prevailing system of political organization was hereditary monarchy, although there are references to a cruel king being deposed by the people.
(i) King
The primary duty of the king was to serve as the protector (gopa) of the jana (people). The main duties of the king are to protect the lives, honor, and property of his subjects, to lead them to war (Gavishti), literally “to look for cows”, to punish the guilty, and to maintain priests to perform sacrifices.
There was no tax system; the king derived his income from tribute paid by conquered tribes and voluntary tributes called Bali by his own subjects. He was assisted in its administration by a Purohita.
(ii) Senani and Gramani
Senani (commander of the army) and Gramani (chief administrator) He also employed emissaries and spies (an espionage system).
(iii) Sabha and Samiti
The only novelty of this age was the presence of two assemblies called Sabha and Samiti, which checked the power of the king. The samiti was a general tribal assembly presided over by the king. The sabha was a council of elder members of the tribe.
(iv) Main components of the army
infantry, cavalry, and chariots. The Senani were at the head of the army, but the king himself led the main expeditions. Soldiers used nails, metal helmets, shields for protection, and offensive weapons including bows and arrows, swords, spears, axes, spears and slings, etc.
Social Conditions
The social structure during the Rigvedic period was patriarchal in nature. The head of the family was the eldest male member, called Grihapati.
The property was owned by the grihapati and the property was usually passed from the father to the eldest son and the daughters did not get any share. But if she happened to be the only problem, she could claim the property.
Members lived in houses made of wood and reeds, and each house consisted of a fireplace (Agnishala). When the Aryans first came to India, there was no caste consciousness. The Aryans had light skin and a high and sharp nose, while the natives had dark skin and short stature and were called dosa, easy. So initially two classes arose in the society, namely Aryans and non-Aryans, based on their complexion, i.e. Varna.
(i) Status of Women
Women were highly respected during this period. Several ceremonies and rituals could not be performed without the presence of a wife.
There was no purdah system and system, and marriage and sati were not practiced. Girls were married when they reached adulthood. Girls enjoyed the freedom to choose their husbands with the approval of their parents. They were given a good education, and some of them rose to great heights. Women like Visvavara, Ghosa, and Apala composed hymns and were experts in sastras. Monogamy (the practice of keeping only one wife) was the usual rule. Although there was polygamy (the practice of keeping several wives) among kings and chiefs,
(ii) Food habits
Wheat and barley were the staple foods of the people. Milk and its various products like curd, butter, ghee, and many types of vegetables and fruits were taken. Fish, birds, and wild animals like boar, antelope, and buffalo were tasted. On festive occasions, the meat of animals such as sheep, goats, etc. was consumed. However, the meat of a cow was not taken as it was already considered “not to kill”. A distilled liquor called Sura was consumed on ordinary occasions, and the intoxicating juice of a plant called Soma was freely used in sacrifices and religious ceremonies.
(iii) Clothing
Clothing was made of cotton, wool, and animal skins. The dress mainly consisted of two garments, the vasa (lower garment) and the adhivasa (upper garment). Garments were often embroidered with gold. Both men and women used gold ornaments such as earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and anklets.
(iv) Education
Education was imparted orally. The teachers repeated the mantras from the Vedas, and then the students repeated them. The main goal of education was to sharpen a person’s intellect and develop his character.
(v) Entertainment
The Rigvedic Aryans were fond of merriment. On joyful occasions, they indulged in music, both vocal and instrumental, and dance. Next to chariot racing and horse racing, the most popular pastime was gambling with dice.
Economic Conditions
The Rigvedic Aryans were essentially rural. People lived in villages where the economy was self-sufficient. The Aryans came as semi-nomadic herders who lived mainly on cattle production. Cattle breeding remained their main occupation for some time. The cow was a measure of value and a rare commodity. Gavisti, literally “to look for cows”, thus came to mean “to fight”.
The obvious consequence is that cattle raids and lost cattle often led to tribal fighting. Therefore, cows were revered and respected for their economic value. The number of cows a man owned determined his wealth and prosperity. Other domesticated animals included horses, goats, donkeys, sheep, oxs, and dogs.
(i) Agriculture
The more permanent settlement of the tribes made agriculture the main occupation of the Aryans. The usual method used to plow the fields was by a pair of oxen tied to a yoke. The cultivated fields were known as Urvava or Kshetro. The main crops grown were barley, wheat, oilseeds, cotton, and some rice. The use of manure was known and they also built irrigation canals to water their fields
(ii) Trade and commerce
The Rigvedic hymns indicate that trade and commerce were also known. Inland trade was a profitable business where goods were transported by horse-drawn wagons and bullock carts. Trade with foreign countries such as Babylon and the countries of western Asia was conducted through the seas and oceans.
The barter system was used as a medium of exchange and the cow was also considered a unit of value. The main items of trade were cloth, leather goods, pearls, and shells. They also most likely knew about currency and the coin they used was known as Nishka, although it has been argued that the use of currency was very limited during this period.
(iii) industry
Among other economic activities, the early Aryans were very proficient in pottery, weaving, carpentry, metalwork, leatherwork, etc. During the Rigvedic age, only copper was used. So the general term ayas was used. Subsequently, in later years, the use of iron was known, and then copper and iron came to be known as Rohit ayas and Shyama ayas.
Religious Conditions
Rig Vedic religion was very simple. Observing nature and its powerful influences, they began to worship the various forces and manifestations of nature, such as the Sun, Moon, Sky, Dawn, Wind, and Air.
Humans conceived these gods in human forms and endowed them with human characteristics. The various gods worshiped by the Rigvedic Aryans can be divided into three categories –
- 1. Gods of the sky or heavens like Dyaus (Sky), Varuna (Sky’s own god), Usha (Dawn), Asvins (Stars) and Surya (Sun).
- 2. Gods of the atmosphere like Indra (Thunder), Rudra (Storm), Maruts (Storm God), Vayu (Wind), and Parjanya (Rain).
- 3. Earth Gods like Prithvi (Earth), Agni (Fire) and Soma (Plant).
Temples, images, altars, and hereditary priests were absent in this period. The Grihapati or householder acted as priest. To please the various gods, they offered prayers in the form of hymns and sacrifices.
Common items offered to the gods were milk, grain, ghee, and soma. These sacrifices were made to gain divine favor or gain control over the gods or nature. They also believed in the theory of karma, the attainment of salvation, and life after death. They did not regard any god as supreme but believed that all gods were one and the same.
Difference between Early Vedic Age and Later Vedic Age
The most prominent differences between the Rigvedic Age or Early Vedic Age and Later Vedic Age are as follows:
- (i) In the early Vedic period Caste grouping was compromised and based on occupational group rather than birth. On the other hand, caste grouping became more rigid or inflexible during the later Vedic period.
- (ii) There was no concept of untouchables or shudras in the early Vedic period. On the other hand, the Shudras became a mainstay in the later Vedic period. The main and only aim was to serve the high caste or upper caste.
- (iii) Women were given a greater degree of freedom during the early Vedic period. They were allowed to attend Samitis and Sabha. On the other hand, in the later Vedic period, women were cut off from the activities that took place in society.
- (iv) Young Vedic society was semi-nomadic and pastoral in nature. On the other hand, the later Vedic society was apt to be more sophisticated as it concentrated on agricultural practices.
- (v) The Rigveda, this passage, is cited as a simple text of this period. On the other hand, in the later Vedic period the barter system was still practiced. This was largely replaced by the exchange of silver and gold coins.
Conclusion
Vedic civilization was between 1500 BC to 600 BC. It is said to be an influential era in the ancient history of India. There are subdivisions of the Vedic period, the early Vedic period (c. 1500 BCE to 1000 BCE) and the later Vedic period (c. 1000 BCE to 600 BCE). This article has demonstrated an overview of the characteristics of the early Vedic period. The Aryans lived primarily in the region or country known as “Sapta Sindhu” or the “Land of Seven Rivers”.
FAQ about Early Vedic Age characteristics
1. What is the Early Vedic Period?
Ans. The Early Vedic Period, also known as the Rigvedic Period, is the initial phase of Vedic civilization in ancient India. It is associated with the composition of the Rigveda, one of the oldest sacred texts of Hinduism.
2. When did the Early Vedic Period occur?
Ans. It is generally dated from around 1500 BCE to 1000 BCE, although these dates can vary somewhat depending on different scholars’ interpretations.
3. What were the main features of the Early Vedic Period?
Ans. During this period, society was primarily pastoral, with people relying on cattle herding. The religion was polytheistic, with a focus on rituals and sacrifices. The society was organized into tribes or clans (Janas), and there was a rudimentary form of governance.
4. Who were the Vedic people?
Ans. The Vedic people were Indo-Aryans who migrated to the Indian subcontinent during this period. They played a significant role in shaping the religious and cultural landscape of ancient India.
5. What is the significance of the Rigveda in the Early Vedic Period?
Ans. The Rigveda is the oldest of the four Vedas and contains hymns and prayers that offer insights into the religious, social, and cultural aspects of this time. It provides valuable information about the early Vedic gods, rituals, and daily life.
6. Were there any major developments in language during this period?
Ans. The Early Vedic Period saw the development of Sanskrit, an Indo-Aryan language, which was the precursor to many modern Indian languages. The Rigveda is composed in Sanskrit.
7. What were the major gods and deities in the Early Vedic Period?
Ans. Some of the prominent deities in the Rigveda include Agni (the god of fire), Indra (the god of thunder and rain), Varuna (associated with cosmic order and morality), and Ushas (the goddess of dawn).
8. How was society structured in the Early Vedic Period?
Ans. Society was organized into tribes or clans, and there was a rudimentary social hierarchy based on the division of labor. The priestly class (Brahmins) played a significant role in performing religious rituals.
9. What were the economic activities during this period?
Ans. The economy was primarily pastoral, with cattle rearing and agriculture playing a role. The people of this period were skilled in metalwork, pottery, and weaving.
10. How did the Early Vedic Period evolve into the Later Vedic Period?
Ans. The transition to the Later Vedic Period involved changes in social, economic, and religious aspects, including the emergence of more complex rituals and the development of the concept of varna, or social classes.